Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
Photo: Wisconsin DNR
Covering more than 22,000 acres of forested glacial hills, kettle lakes and prairies, the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is interlaced with more than 100 miles of mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking and nature trails. Paddling, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting and winter sport opportunities are all available. There are three family campgrounds, a horseriders camp, two group camps and remote backpack shelters on the Ice Age Trail.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit?
It depends on what you came for. Camping is best in June–September, fall color in October, swimming in July–August and boating & paddling in June–September.
What can you do at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit in each season?
Winter (December–February): winter camping, hiking, fishing, ice fishing, mountain & fat biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Spring (March–May): camping, hiking, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking and hunting. Summer (June–August): camping, hiking, swimming, boating & paddling, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding and picnics & shelters. Fall (September–November): camping, hiking, fall color, boating & paddling, fishing, biking, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding, hunting and picnics & shelters.
Do you need a state park sticker at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit?
Yes. Every motor vehicle that stops at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit needs a Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker, daily or annual (from $13 a day with Wisconsin plates). Our Pass page has every price and which one to buy.
Can you camp at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit in winter?
Yes. Winter camping Ottawa Lake campground is the only year-round campground in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit. In winter, a limited number of sites are plowed.
What state parks and trails are near Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit (6 mi), Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit (8 mi) and Glacial Drumlin State Trail (18 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Accessible cabins
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Ice fishing
- Mountain & fat biking
- Picnics & shelters
- Sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October · November
Visiting
- Admission: A vehicle admission sticker is required.
- Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
- Address: Forest Headquarters S91W39091 State Rd 59 Eagle, WI 53119
- Phone: 262-594-6200
Accessibility
- Accessible campsite -- every developed campground here has at least one
- Accessible fishing pier
- Adaptive equipment: Adaptive kayak, Beach wheelchair
- Universal trail: Paradise Springs Nature Trail
From the DNR's accessibility guide, reviewed October 2026. Call the property to confirm before you go.
Nearby
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit (6 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit (8 mi)
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail (18 mi)
- White River State Trail (21 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit (21 mi)
Closures and alerts for Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.